Toshiko found himself back at the same hero arena, only a day after he was there. He still hadn't traveled back to konoha. He wanted to wait a bit longer. Didn't want to risk the chance of anyone finding out about the eye he had received. He needed to be cautious. It had been 24 hours since the transplant. If what akira was saying was true, Toshiko was okay to use the eye now. Despite that, he wasn't sure that he wanted to. He kept his eye hidden underneath an eye patch. It was a bit strange only being capable of seeing from his right eye, but he got used to it quickly. Apparently, he'd been called back from his hotel within takigakure to receive training from a certain someone. He hadn't been notified of who it was, and only was told that he'd need the training to prove himself worthy of the title he was granted even though he'd been disqualified from the exams. After leaving his hotel room, he walked back towards the hero arena.

Upon the way there, he wondered about the eye. What type of powers it could grant him. The secrets behind it. What it would do to him. Now that he had the eye within him, all of these questions were soon to be answered.He also wondered who it was that would be training him, and why he was granted a training partner in the first place. It didn't make sense. If they thought he hadn't proved his worth yet then why would they give him the promotion in the first place? He was tired of people doubting him. Second guessing him. It was annoying. Hopefully this would be fun though. He looked at it as an opportunity to get stronger and enhance his skills a bit. Did he already know his training partner? It'd be better that way. Maybe he'd even get to test out the power of his eye. No. He couldn't allow anyone and everyone to know he'd obtained this power. He'd have to try and keep it to himself. How would he explain it though? The eye patch. One day his eye is fine, and the next he has an eye patch? No one would believe that. Well, during his fight, sero had managed to get a large amount of metsubishi in his eye. He could use that as an excuse. Say that sero blinded him, and they had to take his eye out. It wasn't the most elaborate excuse, but people would believe it.

It was hard. Having to keep this a secret. Having the eye at all. All of it was going to be hard. While he knew this, he also knew that he was using the power for the better. To help those in need and to make this world a great place to live in. It had to be somewhat powerful though. If people would want him dead or be hunting him for the power of this eye, then it obviously had to be worth something. He couldn't wait to see it in action. The day would come soon enough. Maybe in a life threatening situation. After a while, he came up to the hero arena. There were still a few people there, sulking for losing the chuunin exams. Either beaten in battle, or didn't even qualify for the first round. It sucked. Toshiko knew how they felt. He had managed to quickly get over it though. He wouldn't be rude by nonchalantly exclaiming the fact that he had now become a chuunin. He would keep it to himself, and only tell those who asked. He came up to the entrance of the hero arena, where he had entered the arena from when he was in his fight with sero.

There was someone in the center of  the arena whom toshiko could see upon entering. He looked a bit small, yet strangely familiar. As Toshiko got closer, he realized who it was. It was the young boy he had met in the forest some time ago back in konoha. it was his buddy Yuzu. The two had initially met at the Naka River within Konoha. Yuzu was a bit aggressive, but eventually came to show a bit of trust to Toshiko. Their meeting came short, as Yuzu had to leave right after they met. They were in the middle of a game of tag. Toshiko walked up to the 13 meter mark between him and yuzu, and smiled and waved at him.

"Hey there Yuzu. Long time no see! I'm sorry we didn't get to finish our game of tag. What're you doing here?"  

Then, Toshiko realized it.

"Oh i get it. You're my training partner aren't you?"

Sorry Toshi...ko",

What was he apologizing for?

"We can not really play a game of tag right now, but I will make sure you get a chance to prove yourself no matter how badly i have to beat you."

The words Yuzu spoke made Toshiko smile. There was nothing wrong with a bit of trash talk before a good fight. That was what Toshiko loved. It was strange. He didn't like harm or pain, but he surely did love to fight. He gave off a strangely twisted, sadistic smile as his lust for battle took over, and he got in a fighting stance.

"What makes you so sure of yourself Yuzu? I have gotten stronger since our last meet! I"m a chuunin now, and i have a lot of tricks up my sleeve! Now come on, lets go!"

Yuzu quickly complied by backing up to the 20 meter mark, taking his sword, and holding it up high to face the sky. He then spoke.

"Dodge this!!!"

Toshiko didn't worry about what it was that Yuzu was referring to. He would take advantage of the warning his opponent gave him. Quickly he began sidestepping to the right, moving 6 meters out of the way of Yuzu as he  and then sent forward a slash with the sword that went plummeting right towards where Toshiko originally stood. the slash clashed into the entrance of the arena, breaking a chunk out of it.

After the slash, Yuzu quickly created five clones of himself.

'He knows the clone technique too? Dammit! Well, maybe i can still surprise him a bit by showing him my version!'

Each clone received a weapon from the real yuzu's backpack, and four of them went to each corner of the arena, one on every side. Then one clone with a blade faced Toshiko with it's blade at the ready. Toshiko smiled.

"Well well well. It looks like this clone wants to play! Alright!"

Toshiko formed the tiger hand seal, and then spoke the name of the jutsu

"Fire style: Fire Clone Jutsu!"

With those words, an exact clone of Toshiko appeared a few meters to his left. Toshiko looked over to his clone, and nodded to him. Then they both faced the yuzu clone that stood 20 meters in front of them. They then spoke in unision.

"Let's go!"

They ran towards Yuzu together, with 6 meters between them. Toshiko quickly moved 3 meters to the right to put more distance between them, and then quickly took out his tanto. He then threw the tanto at the clone's legs as he was 8 meters in front of him, and Toshiko's clone then moved to the side of yuzu's clone, and formed the tiger seal as he inhaled deeply. He then exhaled, and a large fireball came out of his mouth, heading directly towards The yuzu clone from 5 meters away. The real Toshiko would stand and wait for the fireball and tanto to strike the clone, or for the clone to react.

After the kick, Toshiko watched to see the outcome of his attack. Sadly, The original clone somehow managed to block off the attack Toshiko's clone had aimed from behind and at his blind spot. It was a bit disheartening. Well, more like completely disheartening. Despite that, There were still the other attacks he had planned. Toshiko honestly did not expect what happened next. Each of his lightning javelin blasts hit their target, all besides the one that was most important. The one he had aimed at the original yuzu clone which was blocked by one of the clones the clone had created, as well as Toshiko's strike that was aimed at the original as well. The two clones created by the first clone dispersed into water puddles upon the ground, soaking into the dirt. His attack had failed. Shit.

He still had managed to do a bit of damage by getting rid of those two clones, but he needed a boost. Something that could give him the advantage in this spar. make it end quicker. The eye was the only thing that he had. He couldn't use it. He couldn't use it and it was killing him. He wanted to trust YUzu, but he had learned that not everyone he met would be his friend even if he wanted things to be that way. What if he pulled out the eye and yuzu was one of the hunters that akira told him about? He'd try to kill Toshiko and take the eye from him. He couldn't risk that. He'd have to confirm that yuzu was trustworthy. Ask him beforehand, and then use the eye within their spar. It was then and only then that he could take that kind of risk. He still was insanely curious though. If his life was at risk for obtaining this eye, it had to have miraculous abilities and power that was unheard of. It was almost causing him physical pain to not test out it's capabilities.

Then, something unexpected happened. mist began to fill the area, and the clone disappeared within it. Toshiko's clone was right in front of the original Toshiko, and they could see each other a bit through the mist, but there was no trace of the clone. He began looking around moving in a circle with the hopes of getting at least a hint towards where the Yuzu clone was. Then, while within the mist he heard it. A voice.

"Well done, using a jutsu along with an ordinary attack was a better tactic. Now all you have to do is find me in order to take the next test."

All Toshiko had to do was find the clone to move on? Well, the clone made it a bit less challenging from speaking and giving off his direction. Toshiko of course didn't have the direct location, but he had an idea of where the clone was due to the sound of his voice. He quickly turned in the direction of the voice. It was different this time. He couldn't attack without knowing where his opponent was. It'd be a waste of chakra. Unless.... he attacked in every direction. Toshiko looked over to his clone, and the clone moved backwards a dozen meters. toshiko then inhaled deeply, and converted his oxygen to gas chakra, and then exhaled it, filling the misty area in front of him with the invisible gas. It smelled horrible, But Toshiko would need it's help in just a few more moments.

Toshiko backed up a dozen meters, just as his clone did, and prepared the next part of his attack. He knew that if fire met the gas he fired from his mouth, it would ignite upon reaching it, enhancing it and increasing the degree of burns. He thought of using Phoenix Flower Jutsu, but it was way to weak. He needed something that would span out, and pack a punch if it hit the target. What could he do?.... He thought of which technique would be capable of doing so.

There was one that came to mind. One that he had studied time and time before, but never managed to perfect. It was similar to his great fireball jutsu, but it was B rank and even more powerful. If he could use that and target it into the mist, then he could also be able to hit the clone and get rid of it. It was his first time using a technique above the C rank level, and he didn't know how to go about doing so, but there was a first time for everything. Toshiko was careful about doing this, as he didn't want to put a strain on himself. He inhaled, filling his mouth with chakra that converted to a strange, liquid oil while in his throat, slowly creeping up to his mouth. he then held it in for a few moments, prepping to fire, and then spit it out. The very same second he did, the oil ignited. A massive fireball spewed from his lips, and went sky rocketing forward. It hit the gas, and got even larger in width. It then fired directly towards where Toshiko had heard the voice of the clone. After firing it, Toshiko ran forward along with his own clone, quickly running up behind the fireball 6 meters to the right so they didn't run through the gas. The followed it, and anticipated it to hit the clone so Toshiko could move on the the next challenge. Hopefully he wouldn't be forced into pulling out his sharingan. If he could defeat the clone here and now, then he really wouldn't need it. There was no telling. He couldn't see him, he just had to hope that his attack and calculations were correct. He had to hope that he made the right move.

Toshiko watched closely as he ran along with his clone 5 meters away from his blast. it was a bit hard to see through the mist. Despite that, he could tell that the fire blast hit something, and then as the fire worked as a light, he could see it was the clone. he'd hit his target, and watched the clone disperse. Upon watching the clone disappear, he felt kinda bad, as if he'd just killed someone. He knew it was just a manifestation of yuzu's chakra, but he didn't like it anyway. After getting rid of the clone,Toshiko and his own clone stopped running, and looked around. The real Toshiko then spoke.

"Alright Yuzu! I defeated the clone! Does that mean i passed the test?"

He waited a few moments, no answer. At least, not a direct answer.

"Congratulations on passing the first test, I am not here to fight you, but i am here to prepare you for a true test of your skill."

Toshiko heard the voice of another yuzu. Was it the real him, or a clone? he turned around and then saw him slightly. He stabbed the blade he was utilizing into the ground, and then performed a hand sign. He was going to use a jutsu. Offensive? Defensive? Toshiko didn't know, but didn't tmove either. he got in a ready stance, and awaited the clones move.

"Prepare yourself"

The clone then ripped out a multitude of kunai, 5 in each hand. He then jumped forward, spinning within air, and then fired the kunai directly at the position where Toshiko stood. a few flied to the areas around him as well, attempting to prevent him from moving out of the way of the attacks. There were too many. He could see them coming, but he had to be able to react to them fast, and without getting struck by one of them. It was time. Before the kunai were directly in front of him, Toshiko reached for the side of his eye patch. he needed it this time. he tugged it hard, ripping it off, and opened his sharingan eye.

It was strange at first. Sight from the eye was insanely weird to him, but it was in no way bad. He looked at the kunai that were coming towards him, but now he was ready. There were two headed at him directly aimed at his face. As they came by, he quickly moved his head to the left, grabbing the hilts of both the kunai as they passed him. There were two more, one on each of his sides. The one on the left was set to hit his clone, who quickly ducked underneath the kunai as it came by him. The rest of them came off in random directions. Two more headed towards Toshiko's clone, and he sidestepped away from them. Toshiko stared at the clone who was now dashing towards him. Toshiko stared at him with both eyes. he might have made a real dangerous move pulling out the eye, but if it would win him this spar quicker then he was up for it. He charged up towards the yuzu clone along with his own clone, and the two kunai in his hand. he threw one at the clone's leg, and then threw the kunai that was in his hand up to his clone. The clone charged the yuzu clone from the left side, and aimed a strike with the kunai at the side of it's head. Toshiko came up from the right side, and then aimed a roundhouse kick at the clone's right side of the head. He waited for it's reaction.

The yuzu clone seemed to be a bit better than Toshiko and his own clone expected it to be. Toshiko's clone attacked it with the kunai from the left side, only to have it's attack blocked visiously as the clone put up it's hand to deflect. There was still the attack Toshiko had planned to the right side of it's head, and he hoped it would go through. Toshiko's clone may not have worked as an offensive technique, but he sure worked as a distraction. The clone was seemingly blinded to Toshiko's presence, and his attack struck the left side of his head. He fell over, and began rolling through the mist, stopping only and getting up from only 5 meters away from Toshiko. His clone stood next to him. The clone stared at Toshiko with a strangely serious glare upon it's face, and then went into it's pocket. It pulled out both of it's hands, but didn't show what it had went to grab. That was suspicious, but Toshiko knew to expect something. He gripped the kunai that he had caught, and didn't dare to take his eye off of his target.

"Sharingan?"

Toshiko gave off a strange smile when the clone said that. Even though he smiled, he was getting mixed thoughts about the clone's reaction. It could have meant that he was simply surprised to see Toshiko with the eye, or it was because he wanted it for himself. Despite that possibility, Toshiko responded as if everything were normal.

"Yea that's right. It's a sharingan. I just got it transplanted. Didn't want to show you too soon cause i thought you were going to try and kill me for it. Was i right with my assumption?

Though Toshiko spoke confidently, he was really worried. He wanted to trust Yuzu of course, but he felt as though there was something strange about him.Very strange. he'd worry about that after their fight, cause as of now it looked like simple training. Then, the clone swallowed the hidden item, and dashed forward Towards Toshiko and his clone. They were ready. The clone was moving fast, and it would have been almost impossible to see if it weren't for his eye. He and his clone stared as Yuzu made a circular slash with his sword. Shit. It e went way too fast for Toshiko to dodge. He couldn't. there was no way.

"Watch Out!"

Toshiko's clone warned the real Toshiko, and then pushed him with all his might, knocking him back 6 meters just as the yuzu's clone slash was near, the clone taking the hit, and dispersing upon impact. Toshiko stood up to his feet. His clone had taken the fall, and it's existence for him. It was an honorable comrade, and he'd avenge it.

Toshiko ran forward, his sharingan eye directly on the clone through the mist. He wouldn't be holding back on him anymore. Quickly, he aimed two punches to it's face, and then a kick to the chest. after the melee attacks, he jumped back, landed on the ground, landed on the ground 6 meters away from the clone, ran up, and jumped within mid air gripped the kunai in both hands and holding it over his head.

"This is for my clone!"

Toshiko then brought the kunai blade down, aiming it directly at the center of the clone's head.

Toshiko's attack had hit. His kunai cut into the clone's head, and the clone dispersed into water that splashed in his face. He quickly closed his eyes to protect his sharingan, and the water entered his mouth and nose, and burned his face. Quickly he spit out the water, wiped the water from his face, and felt his tongue and skin sting. He grunted loudly as the water stung upon his skin, but quickly quieted down as he opened his eyes. It was absolutely clear. He couldn't even see his own arm if he held it out in front of him. How would he know where to strike? How would he know what to do while within this mist? There wasn't much to do. He could only rely on his hearing, and his sense of smell which was now gone due to his nose being filled with water. Toshiko simply stood there with the kunai within his hand, and waited for his opponent to strike. If yuzu's clone struck him, he'd know where to attack.

There it was. Toshiko could hear someone dashing forward from directly in front of him. Then, he saw the blade come directly for him. Quickly, Toshiko jumped back , focusing chakra into his left palm as he did so. THe chakra converted to lightning chakra, and then Toshiko quickly ran forward, firing out the lightning bolt in the direction of the slash and throwing the kunai from his right hand directly behind it.

Toshiko Threw his attacks forward with no idea of whether or not they would hit his target. One thing about the clone was certain. It was very in tact with the area. Yuzu must have had insane perceptive abilities. Toshiko listened, and heard nothing indicating the clone had dispersed. Shit. He'd missed his mark. Then, Toshiko heard faint movements coming from behind him. Quickly he turned around, and just as he did he felt it. He felt it hit him. Before he knew it, there was an inch and a half deep gash upon the right side of his chest and upon his right shoulder. It didn't reach his bone, but cut through most of the flesh and skin. He was knocked back 6 meters, and grunted out in pain, but stood on his feet. The clone had managed to strike him, but that would be the last time. Toshiko hoped that he'd been able to provide what he was asked for. He was hopeful that he'd proved his worth and managed to convince those that questioned his new position, but he'd come to far with these challenges. He wanted to finish them completely. And he wouldn't accept defeat no matter how wounded he was until the clone was gone.

There was the sharp pain from the gash, but he wouldn't let that stop him. He exerted his chakra, and it converted to three bolts of raiton chakra. One above his head, and one hovered over each shoulder. he was using the lightning bolt jutsu this time to assure he would pass the test that yuzu had given him. After the chakra bolts were fully formed, he fired them directly from where the gash had came from. All three. He had to get rid of the clone to keep his self respect, and to make sure there would be no more questioning behind the rank up he had rightfully gained. By getting rid of the clone, in his mind he was getting rid of those that opposed him or underestimated. Getting rid of the negative thoughts and perceptions others carried of him for unknown reasons.

Toshiko had no clue of whether or not his attacks connected, but this fight was growing tiresome very quickly. He could barely see a few inches in front of his face,  and he had obtained a wound. For what? That was what he really couldn't figure out. What was he doing this for? He was all about training and growing stronger, but the one and only reason he'd been assigned this training partner was because apparently the people who had appointed him chuunin didn't think he was strong enough? What was it worth? Nothing. Nothing at all. Then, he felt it. another slash, this time connecting with his right arm, not going too deep though, only piercing through the skin and first layer of flesh. After the blow hit, and the pain reached his body, toshiko was pretty much done. NOt because he didn't enjoy the fight, but the reason behind it. He didn't feel obligated to prove his strength to anymore anymore, and it was honestly pretty irritating.

"Okay. That's it for me Yuzu. I got rid of two of the clones, held my ground, wasted almost all of my chakra, and took two of your hits. It that's not enough to show you and the rest of the imbeciles that promoted me chuunin that i'm worth it, then oh well. I've lost interest. I have more important battles to fight. it's been fun and all, but i don't enjoy being belittled. I quit."

"You Pass"
That was it. that was all that he needed to hear and all that was needed to be said. He did it. While he didn't have to or want to, he got all the idiotic people who were doubting him to shut their mouths. He passed. He proved his worth and hopefully would now get the respect he was entitled to. He didn't even really care about that part really. Respect from others was his life goal and all, but at that moment he was pissed. all he wanted now was those people who were judging him who didn't even know his name to shut the fuck up.

"Sometimes it is best to give up when you can not win, they say you need to be brave to stay and fight. You also need to be brave to run away knowing people will call you a coward. If you do not know the difference then you have no right to call yourself a shinobi."

The boy's words were wise and all, but he must've misunderstood Toshiko's reasoning for ending the fight. It wasn't that he didn't want to. It was that he didn't feel like he needed to prove a point or show people what he was worth who didn't deserve it. He didn't feel obligated to go out of his way to appease individuals who thought he had to prove his worth to them. it wasn't worth his time. Despite his thoughts, he didn't want to be rude of course so he kept his thoughts to himself, but there was a look of agitation upon his face that could be seen by the individuals who were watching the fight, and yuzu himself as his jutsu cleared. Toshiko said nothing, and simply nodded in agreement with his tutor. after a few moments of silence, the crowd that was watching the battle take place apparently broke out into cheers.Well, at least they enjoyed it. That was kinda nice.

Yuzu turned towards Toshiko with a few finals words.

"If you want a serious fight next time, get a lot stronger and i will be here waiting to remind you to know your place. I am the strongest"

Toshiko actually broke a smile upon the child's words. His arrogance and ego coming from his little body was quite comical. But at the same time, it actually wanted toshiko to aspire to become stronger. So he could fight yuzu one on one with both of them putting 110% in.

"We'll see Yuzu. We'll see."

From that moment on, Toshiko and Yuzu would be rivals. With those last words, Toshiko turned towards the exit of the arena, walking out and back to his hotel room. He would rest, and then get stronger to take on his new friend.